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1 v. FRALEY PORTABLE CO'NVEYEB Filed Feb 2o. 1920 1o Sheets-sheet? L L. V. F RALEY PORTABLE CONVEYER Filed Feb. 2o, 1920 io sheets-sheet 1o support for the conveyer whereby the eleva` Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

UNITED 4STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE V. FRALEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO STANDARD CONVEYOR COMPANY, OF 'NORTH ST. PAUL, MNNESOTA, COR# PORATION OIF MINNESOTA.

PORTABLE coNvEYER.

Application filed l'ebruaryx20,y 1920. Serial No.` 360,112.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE V. FRALEY, a citizen of the United States, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in PortableConveyers, of which the following is a full, concise, clear, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to portable con-l veyers.

Conveyers of this type are found particularly useful in transferring loose materials such as dirt, gravel, stone and the like over comparatively short distances, that is, from one pipe to an adjacent pipe or into a bin or other conveyer. a suitable conveying medium carried by an elongated frame supported upon wheels so that the conveyer may be readily moved about and to the position desired.

The general aim of the present invention is to improve the construction and operation hne 8 8 of Figure 7.

of conveyers of this type.

More specifically one object of this inven tion is to so construct the receiving end,

conveyer of such construction as to be prooi against loss of material d'ue to leakage or otherwise during the passage of the material therethrough. f

Another object 1s to provide an adjustable tion thereof may be varied at will.

Another object is to pro-vide an improved means vfor adjustably supporting the drum` over which the conveyer apron passes.

Another object is to prov'idean improved oiling system for the drum.

inafter appear,

@Apartments of the` invention are They usually include illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The views of the' drawings are as follows; v e' Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a kportable conveyer embodying the features .of the present invention. f

Figure et is a vertical section taken onk the line 4.-4 of- Figure 3.

Figure y5 is a fragmentary, vertical longitudinal section thru the receiving end of the conveyer, taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 6. n

Figure 6y is a 'section taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

" Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section thru one of the conveyer drums or rollers and illustrating a novel form of adjustable support therefor.

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on the the drum shaft.

n Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional vView taken on the line 10 1O of Figure 1.

f Figure 11, is a fragmentary, vert-ical, longitudinal'section througha portion of the conveyer. f

Figure 12 isa sectional view taken on the line 12 12 of Figure 1.

Figure 13 isa fragmentary view in side elevation of the delivery end of the con-y veyer. Figure 14 is an isometric view of a part of the receiving end of the conveyer.

Figure 15 is the side elevation of parts of a conveyer frame, shown as an alternative embodiment of my invention;

Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the nose or receiving` end of the conveyer; y y

. Figure 17 isa transverse section through the conveyer frame, taken on line 17 17 lof Figure 15 and looking in the direction of the arrows; f

Figure 1 8 is a detailed view of a spring clip employed to maintain resiliently a roller spindle in position;

vures 1, 2, 10 and 11).

Figure 19 is a section taken on line 19-19 of Figure 1S and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 2O is a section taken on line .20-20 of Figure l5;

Figure 21 is a section taken on line 21-21 of Figure and Figure 22 is a section taken on line 22-22 of Figure l5.

The conveyer includes a longrigid frame preferably of open construction to conserve weight and having a defined channel from end to end through which the material conveyed may pass. The bottom of the channel is closed by the conveying medium in such manner as to be proof against leakage.

The frame may be constructed in various ways. In the present instance however, the frame includes upper and lower longitudinal sills 1.0 and 11, respectively, preferably in the form of angle irons as shown (Fig- The upper and lower sills on each side are rigidly connected at intervals by a series of oppositely disposed upright brackets 12. Each bracket is prefcrably provided with upper and lowerlateral ears 13 and 14 secured to the upper and lower sills, respectively, in any appropriate manner, such as by rivets 15. Transverse members 16 preferably in the form of angle irons are riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the inwardly directed webs 17 preferably cast integral with the brackets. Each bracket is further provided with a bearing portion 18 adapted to receivean end of a spindle 19 rotatably supporting an antifrio tion roller 20. The brackets extend upwardly and inwardly above the upper sills 10 and terminate in flat faces 21 which together form a convenient `,means for supporting` the longitudinally extending guide plates 22 in an upright position. These plates extend substantially `the full length of the conveyer frame and form the side walls of the channel through which thematerial passes.

rl`he conveying medium forms the bottom of the channel and preferably comprises an endless belt or apron 23 having transverse cleats or ights 2l for obtaining a better grip on the material conveyed. .The apron passes overthe rollers and along and heneath the lower edges of the guide plates 22. The apron is preferably of such width as to extend somewhat beyond the guide plates 22 in such manner that the plates maintain the material well within the longitudinal edges of the apron. By this construction it will be seen that-any possibility of the material leaving the `belt is effectively prevented. ln order to insure that the apron is maintained sufhciently close to the plates 22, additional rollers .25 may-be (provided. These rollers `are rotatably mounted on spindles 25 supported upon plates 2G riveted or otherwise secured to the upper sills 10. The lower run of the apron may be supported by one or more rollers 28. ln the present instance only one of such rollers is employed. rlhis roller is journaled on a suitable spindle 29 supported by means of bracket plates 30 secured to the lower sill 11 and is preferably reduced intermediate its ends to permit the free passage of the flight 24 thereover. The forward receiving end of the conveyor frame is preferably bevelled off as shown to form a substantially horizontal base portion 51 and a pointed nose 32. The nose is preferaoly in the form of a casting having an inclined lip 33 and upstanding forwardly tapering shoulders 3% together forming an outwardly flaring mouth for receiving the material to be conveyed. rlhe casting is held in position between side plates 35 by means of connesting rods 36 passing therethrough. rthe side plates extend fr in the top to the bottom of the conveyer frame and a short distance back from the extremeend thereof and are firmly secured to the upper and lower sills 10 and 1l.

A trough shaped member 36a is preferably suspended between the side plates 35 and above the conveyer apron to insure proper delivery of the material to the apron. For this purpose this member is positioned in alignment with the receiving mouth of the conveyer frame and with the channel defined by the guide plates 22 and preferably overlaps the inner end of the casting 32 as well as the guide plates 22. rlhis member is held in xed position by any appropriate means such as angle irons 37 connecting the longitudinal flanges 38 thereof with the side plates A plato 59 secured to and bridging the space between the upper sills 10 eX- tends beneath the conveyor apron at the point where the ai fon receives the material to catch any of the material that might fall from the belt during the loading thereof.

The horizontal portion 81 of the conveyor is preferably closed by a plate 40 removably securedto the lower sills 11 by any convenient means such as bolts 1. The forward edge of the plate is seated in a suitable transverse groove 42 formed in the casting 32, the plate extending rearwardly therefrom substantially the length of the side plates Thus it will be een that the receiving end of the conveyer frame completely closed and that the under face thereof is free from fend of the frame in a novel manner as will be explained. y

This drum 1s preferably hollow and ispro lll) vided at each end with a bearing in the form of a bushing 44. The drum is rotatably mounted upon a horizontal shaft 45v extending through suitable elongatedopenings 46 in the side plates 35. Each end of the shaft is firmly clamped in position between a pair of diametrically disposed screws 47 which are threaded through a collar 48 and project into suitably fashioned; recesses 49m a sleeve 50 secured to each end of the shaft. kEach collar 48 is secured to a side plate 35 by means of bolts 51 or the like so as to sur-v round the opening 46 therethrough. The screws 47 are preferably arranged length wise of the conveyer and thus form a convenient means for obtaining a proper adjustment of the drum shaft 45 with respect to the ccnveyer belt. VJ am' nuts 51 may be employed to lock the screws in any position of adjustment. A cover or cap 52removably secured to the collar 48 by any yconvenient means such as bolts 53 forms a tight housing for each end of the shaft.

Various methods may be employed for lubricating the drum shaft. In the present instance however the shaft isy provided at each end with a main duct 54 substantially axial of the shaft and transversey ducts '55 leading from the main duct to the periphery of the shaft. The entrance to the main duct 54 is preferably normally closed by a removable plug 56. After removing4 the cap 52,

the plug 56 may be removed and a suitable lubricant forced through the ducts to the interior of the drum and to the periphery kof the shaft. The plug 56 and cap 52 may then be replaced in their closing positions. By this construction sufficient lubricant may be supplied at any one time to give properv lubrication for a considerable period. In

order to exclude dust and dirtfand to pre` cured to the lower sills 11 and also to the ends of the upper sills 10. Upright stifen# ing members preferably in the form ofangle irons 59y and 60 are secured to each-of these plates.

j is secured toa horizontal shaft 62 extending crosswise of the frame and through suitable slots 63 in the side plates 58. Each end of this shaft is journaled ina slideblock 64 mounted for lengthwise sliding ymovement between suitable guides: 65 carried by the side lates. p nected with each slideblock 64 passes through a ange of the angle iron 60 and is provided An adjusting screw 66 con-L with nuts 67 for securing the screw in anyy position of adjustment. By this construction the drum I61 may be adjusted lengthconveyer may be readily moved about from placed to place. In the present instance this support is made up of steel tubing and comprises rigidly connected longitudinal members 68 and upright members 69 preferably kconnected by a transverse member 70 and a cross head 71. The freeI ends of the longitudinal and upright membersy are secured to the conveyer frame by any convenient means such as bracket plates 72-73, respectively, preferablyr riveted to the upper and lower sills 10 and 11. i

The upright members 69 are mounted for` vertical sliding movement in sleeves 74. Each sleeve 74 is preferably formed as an integral part of a bracket 75 secured to an axle 76 carried by the supporting wheels 77. Various means may be provided for maintaining the kupright members 69 in any position of adjustment in the sleevesl 74. Infthe present instance thismeans includes al 'screw' shaft 78 fixed at its `upper end in the cross head 71 and extending through an internally threaded wormv gear 79 seated upon a transverse member y8O connecting the brackets 75. As shown in Figures 3 and 4,` the transverse member 80 is formed with an opening 81 to permit lengthwise movement of the screw shaftL 78 therethrough. The worm gear 79is actuated by a worm 82 fixed to a horizontal shaft 83 journaled` in suitable bearings `84 .and 85 carried by the member 80. Shaft 83 may be provided with a pin'8'6 or otherwise fashioned to receive a suitable tool, such for instance as is shown in dotted lines in Figure 2,for rotating the shaft. Upon the rotation of shaft 83 and its worm 82, worm` gear 79 is rotated with respectto the screw shaft 78 thus effect-ing a raising or lowering of the screw shaft, and a consequent vertical adjustment of the conveyer frame to any desired elevation. v

The conveyer be provided with any appropriate form of power unit for actuat-y ing the rconveyer apron. In the present 'instance this 4unit comprisesan internal combustion engine 87 of any approved type. rlhe upperdrum 61 of the conveyer apronv means of a chain 96. The sprocket 95 is keyed or otherwise secured to theupper drum shaft vsus 62 to rotate therewith. hns when the engine 87 is set in motion the drum shaft 62 is actuated through the gearing just described and a. consequent rotation is imparted to the upper drum 61. Rotation of the upper drum effects a continuous travel of the endless belt or apron 23. in a well known manner.

The operation of the device may now be brieiy described. Assuming that it is desired to transfer" a pile of loose material into a truck or other conveyance, the conveyer is moved to position with its receiving end inserted into the pile or in a most advantageous position with respect to the pile, and with its delivery end over the truck. By rotating the worm shaft 83 the conveyer frame may be raised or lowered to position the delivery end thereof at a proper elevation above the truck. The engine 87 may then be set in motion and the material shoveled or raked over or through the receiving mouth and onto the receiving end of the conveyer apron.

The material is then advanced by the traveling apron through the channel defined by the guide plates 22 up to and over the upper drum 61 from which point it drops by gravity into the truck. lt is obvious that the conveyer may be employed in a similar inanner to transfer materials from one pile to another or into a bin or other conveyer.

The tapered end of the conveyer frame permits the same to be actually inserted in the pile of material or to rest squarely upon the ground at the foot of the pile. ln either position it is not necessary to lift the material to any great extent in loading the same onto the conveyer. Furthermore by so shaping the receiving end of the conveyer vframe there are no sharp corners which might jab into the ground and thus interfere with the ready movement of the conveyer from placel to place.

A modified form of conveyer frame construction is illustrated in Figures 15 to 22,

webs 171 preferably cast integral with the brackets.

As shown particularly in Figures 17, 20, 21 and 22 the horizontal flanges of the upper sills 10 extend inwardly and serve as supports for -longitndinally extending angle bars 97 positioned along the inner edges thereof. Longitudinal guide plates 22 are riveted or otherwise secured to the angle bars 97. rl"hese plates extend substantially the full length of the conveyer frame and form the side walls of the channel through which the material passes.

The endless belt or conveyer apron 23 forms the bottom of the conveyer channel. The apron is threaded over a drum L13 similar to that hereinabove described at the receiving end of the frame and over a second drum (not shown) at the delivery end of the frame, and is actuated preferably by means such as before described. The upper run of the apron passes over the rollers 20 and beneath the lower edges of the guide plates 22. rlhe apron is preferably of such wir; th as to extend somewhat beyond the guide plates 22 in such manner that the plates maintain the material well Within the longitudinal edges of the apron.

The rollers 20 are rotatably mounted upon suitable spindles 98 extending through the vertical flanges of longitudinal angle bars 99. Bars 99 are preferably supported by suitable angle brackets 100 secured thereto and to the transverse member 16. The bars 99 are preferably so positioned that the horizontal flanges thereof engage beneath and support the free longitudinal edges of the conveyer apron 23 (see Figures 21 and 22).

The forward or receiving end of the frame is similar to the receiving end of the frame hereinabove described in that it is completely enclosed and the bottom portion thereof is bevelled off to form a pointed nose -as shown in Figures 15 and 16. lThe nose is l,Figure 15).

rlhe bevelled bottom portion of the frame is closed by means cfa fixed plate L10 and a hinged plate 101, as indicated in Figures 15, 16 and 20. Plate 101 is suspended at one end from a spindle 102 by means of angle brackets 103. The spindle 102 passes through the brackets 103, side plates 35" and the lower sill members 11 and is held in place by any appropriate means such as Cotter pins 104C.4 The plate is normally closed against the bottoni flanges of the lower sills 11 and releasably held in this position by means of bolts 105 or the like. Reinforcing ligt@ are supported by means of angle brackets Y it is only necessary to remove the bolts 105 Y and swing the plate downwardly as indi-` cated by the dotted line position of Figure f 16. In order to. permit this swinging movement of the plate the sidemargins thereof to the rear of' the pivot point are cut away to provide the necessaryy clearance.

Plate 40 may be secured to the lower sills 1.1 by rivets or bolts and extends preferably from the rear extremity of the hinged plate 101 to the ends of the side plates 35 (see Figures 15 and 17).

The top of the receiving end of the conveyer frame is closed by means of a trough shaped member 36h, the belt 28, and a belt supporting plate 39', as illustrated in Figure 16. rlhe forward end of the trough member 36" rests within a shallow seat 107 formed upon rear portion of the casting 33. Member 39 is positioned below the belt 23 with its longitudinal edges extending to the irons 10 and lying upon the brackets 108 to which they are preferably riveted. f

The belt supporting plate 39 is secured in position by any appropriate means such as angle brackets 108 secured to the side plates 35. The purpose of the plate 39 is to support the belt 23 at the loading point and thus prevent such a sagging of the belt as might permit the escape of the material from the belt beneath the side plates 22 and into the closed end of the frame.

Within the closed or receiving end of the conveyer frame the transverse members 16 108 secured to the side plates 35. (See Figure 17) The belt supporting rollers 20 are supported upon spindles 98 which are somewhat longer than the spindles 98 previously referred to. Spindles 98 extend through the angle bars 99 and also through one of the side plates 35 to the routside of the conveyer frame. The projecting end of the spindle is bent over as shown at 109 and is held in place by any appropriate means such as a spring clip 110 secured at one end to the side plate 35. Thus in removing a roller 20 it is only necessary to disengage the end 109 from the clip and withdraw the spindle 98.

It is obvious that a similar clip might be employed to retain the other kspindles 98 in place. In the presentinstance however cotter pins 111 are employed to prevent the removal of the spindles 98.

Referring to the rear or delivery end of the conveyer frame it will be seen from Figure 15 that the same is provided with side plates 58 in the form of ribbed castings. A longitudinal slot 63 is provided for slidably receiving a bearing block 64:"

` forming an adjustable support for the shaft 62. The rear or upper conveyer belt drum (not shown) .is preferably keyed to this shaft. Any appropriate means such as an angle iron 59 may be employed to close the open end of the slot 63.

An adjusting screw 66 screwed through an ear 67" and having a rotatable bearing lin the block 64 forms a convenient means for adjusting the shaft 62 to effect the desired tension in the conveyer belt.

The function and operation of the modified form of' the invention last described is substantially the same as the form of the invention first described. i

Various changes may be made in either of the embodimentsofothe invention khere- .inabove specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages ofthe invention defined in the following claims.

l claim 1. .ln a device of the class described, a frame comprising a pairof upper and a pair of lower longitudinal sills, upright spaced brackets connecting said longitudinal sills at intervals, transverse members connecting said upright spaced brackets, the upper ends'of said upright brackets projecting above the upper longitudinal sills, longitudinal guide plates extending along the upper sills and secured to the upper projecting ends of said upright brackets and endless traveling belt supportedwithin said frame beneath said guide plates.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a frame and a conveyer apron carried thereby, of a wheeled support for said frame, said wheeled support comprising carrying wheels, an axle for said wheels, sleeve members carried by said axle, upright members secured to the conveyer frame and extending down through said sleeve members for slidable movement therein, a cross head secured to said upright members, a screw fixed at its upper end in said cross head, and means carried by the axle for turning said screw to vary the elevation of the conveyer frame.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a frame and a conveyer apron carried thereby, of a wheeled support for said frame, said wheeled support comprising carrying wheels, an axle for said wheels, sleeve members carried by said axle, upright members secured to the conveyen framey and extending down through said sleeve members for slidable movement therein, a cross head secured to said upright members,.a screw fixed at its upper end in said gearto thread the screw upwardly or down# wardly through said worin gear.

4;. In a device or the class described, a longitudinally inclined conveyer frame, the forward end of said inclined frame terminatf ing in a horizontal portion for cooperation with the ground, a plate hingedly mounted in said horizontal portion and a` fixed plate secured to the bottom of the conveyer :trame and extending from said hinged plate up along' the lower inclined surface of said frame.

5. In a device of the class described, a longitudinally inclined conveyer frame, the forward end of said inclined 'frame terminating in a horizontal portion for coop eration with the ground, al nose member at the forward end of said horizontal portion,

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and-a plate hingedly mounted in said horizontal portion and closing against said nose member.

6. In a device of the class described, a longitudinally inclinedfconveyer frame, the forward end of said inclined conveyer frame terminating in a horizontal portion for cooperation with the ground, a nose member at the forward endof said horizontal portion, a plate hingedly mounted in said horizontal portion and closing against said nose member, and means between said plate and said nose member for holding said plate in closed position thereagainst.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my naine this'l day of February, 1920.

LAWRENCE V. FRALEY. 

